[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING WILLIAM S. LYONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2018

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 1st 
Lieutenant William S. Lyons, also known as `Tiger Lyons.' Mr. Lyons was 
part of the 355th Fighter Group. Mr. Lyons became a flight leader with 
63 missions and completed his 300 combat hours in March 1945.
  The 355th Fighter Group, which Mr. Lyons served in, had pioneered 
ground strafing techniques and it was the 355th Fighter Group who 
destroyed more enemy aircraft by ground strafing than any other Eighth 
Air Force Group. Based at Steeple Morden from July 1943 to July 1945, 
the Group flew Thunderbolts and Mustangs as escorts for bombers and in 
area patrols and fighter sweeps.
  For his service he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air 
Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Cluster, 5 European Theater Operation Battle 
Stars, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II 
Victory Medal, and 2 Presidential Unit Citations.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Mr. Lyons for his service to the 
country and to express our gratitude for all that his team did during 
their war to protect the freedoms we all enjoy today.

                          ____________________